The data obtained by Medical Negligence Assist found diagnosis failures and inadequate nursing care were among the reasons for claims.

Sophie Cope, medical negligence solicitor for JF Law (which owns the Medical Negligence Assist brand), said: ‘The growing rate of negligence in A&E services brings into sharp focus a deeply concerning trend within our National Health Service. 

‘With over 6,000 claims being made against trusts in the past five years, this represents thousands of individuals who have suffered harm at a time when they were most vulnerable and seeking urgent care.

‘The amount of money trusts have had to pay out in compensation reflects the severe impact these incidents have had on patients' lives, ranging from increased periods of pain and suffering to life-changing injuries.'

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust had the highest compensation costs at over £19m.

Denise Townsend, deputy chief nursing officer at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, told HM: ‘As one of the largest trusts in the country we serve a population of over 1.2m and these claim numbers are proportionate to our size.

‘We strive to deliver safe, high-quality patient centred care every day. Sometimes things go wrong and when they do we fully investigate and learn from them.'